SA kids developing obesity & Type 2 diabetes, prompting calls to help parents encourage healthy habits

South Aussie doctors are pleading for parents to take notice of health tips as obesity and diabetes cases grow in kids as young as 3.

Children as young as three are being treated for obesity in Adelaide, and about one child a week is being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

More screen time, the convenience of snack foods, junk food advertising and genetics are all playing a part and families are being urged to make changes early to avoid serious complications.

There are about 50 children being treated for Type 2 diabetes through the Women’s and Children’s health network and referrals from GPs for overweight or obese children are on the rise.

WCH Paediatric endocrinologist Alexia Pena said she had recently worked with a three-year-old girl who was obese.

“She was drinking two litres of cow’s milk a day and with an iPad in her hand,” said Associate Professor Pena, who is also based at the University of Adelaide medical school.

She said stigma around weight could put parents off seeking help but stressed that support was available and changing habits sooner could avoid more severe consequences if children went undiagnosed or untreated.

The youngest SA child to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes is about 10 years old and most require medication, in addition to lifestyle changes, to manage the disease, Associate Professor Pena said.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not make enough insulin - a hormone produced by the pancreas - to process sugars in food, or the body stops responding effectively to the insulin.

People with the condition have elevated levels of sugar in their blood which, if left untreated, can lead to complications with a patient’s eyesight, nerves, heart and kidneys.

Symptoms of the condition for children can include increased thirst and needing to urinate, bed wetting, feeling very tired or slow healing from cuts or scrapes.

Data from the National Diabetes Service Scheme shows there are about 70 young South Australians, aged between 10 and 19, registered as having Type 2 diabetes.

Across Australia there are almost 900 in that age bracket with the condition.

In Adelaide, Associate Professor Pena said clinicians were now diagnosing “one a week over the last year”.

“If they get Type 2 diabetes as a child it has been shown that they get more severe disease than if you are diagnosed in your 30s or 40s,” she said.

“There’s more risk for damaging organs ... and you’re more likely to need more medications to manage it.”

Associate Professor Pena said it was not known why complications could be more severe with childhood onset, but it could be related to puberty as the body goes through a period of high insulin resistance due to hormonal changes.

A family history of Type 2 diabetes or a mother who had gestational diabetes while pregnant can increase a child’s risk.

“There is a lot of stigma around this,” Associate Professor Pena said.

“If the parents have a struggle themselves with weight it can be very hard. When we speak to families we acknowledge how hard it is to lose weight and that they need support for that.”

Chef and Sprout cooking school owner Callum Hann tries gets daughter Elle, 3, and son Henry, 1, helping in the kitchen. Photo: Kelly Barnes

Chef and Sprout cooking school owner Callum Hann has found “leading by example” can help when trying to encourage children to choose healthy food options.

“I don’t think it’s ever too late to start introducing new foods,” said Mr Hann, who is a father to Elle, 3, and Henry, 1.

“We don’t want to say any foods are bad (but) ... try and make sure you have some healthy options around.

“If the only thing you’ve got in the cupboard is chips and lollies then of course they will reach for that.

“Leading by example is underrated. Don’t expect your kids to be munching on vegetables if you’re hoeing into a Mars Bar in front of them.”

Mr Hann encouraged parents to involve children in deciding what to cook and let them help with things like washing vegetables, picking herbs, mixing ingredients or slicing fruits.

“Kids like anything they can eat with their hands,” he said.

“Now you might think burgers, but that could be tacos or cold rolls, or sushi rolls.

“And as much as possible try to sit down and eat with them.”